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Amid increasing scrutiny on foreign-owned shops in South African townships and villages, the Pakistan Association Southern Africa (PASA) has issued a clarifying statement regarding the nationality of shop owners. PASA President, Mansha Mohammed, appealed to the community to avoid confusion by verifying the nationality of shop owners before making assumptions about their origin.
The call from PASA comes in response to a prevailing misconception that Pakistan nationals predominantly own shops in South African townships and villages, particularly hardware stores. It is often the case that when the term “foreign-owned shops” is used, it is immediately associated with Pakistan nationals. This has led to inaccurate generalizations.
The recent heightened scrutiny on foreign-owned spaza shops, primarily due to suspicions of selling expired and counterfeit goods, has prompted authorities to take action. Acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, has announced that they will be conducting thorough inspections of foreign-owned spaza shops in the North West province and will close down those that fail to comply with regulations.
In some areas, community members have taken it upon themselves to inspect these shops, underscoring the importance of adherence to regulations and quality standards.
PASA President, Mansha Mohammed, emphasized the need for a more accurate understanding of the diverse group of individuals who operate businesses in South African townships and villages. It is essential to avoid making assumptions based on nationality and, instead, assess the compliance of businesses with established regulations.
The Pakistan Association Southern Africa remains committed to fostering better communication and understanding within the community, ensuring that businesses, regardless of ownership, meet the necessary standards and regulations to operate legally and provide high-quality products and services.
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